Deployment Strategist

Menlo Ventures; United States; On-site; USD 185,920 - 255,640; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual performance bonuses

Equity

Comprehensive benefits

Job summary

Menlo Ventures is looking for a Deployment Strategist to bridge customer business issues with technical solutions. In this role, you'll manage the non-technical lifecycle of FDE engagements, specifically targeting C-suite customers. Your responsibilities will include defining Minimum Viable Products, leading agile project teams, and ensuring user adoption of new solutions. Ideal candidates should have executive presence, experience in high-growth environments, and a strong execution mindset. The expected salary range is between $185,920 and $255,640 USD, plus bonuses.

Qualifications

• Trusted advisor with superb communication skills.
• Ability to perform SWOT analysis and understand competitive landscape.
• Expert in value-based scoping and agile software project management.

Responsibilities

• Partner with Sales to define the Minimum Viable Product.
• Act as the 'CEO' of the project, managing the engineering backlog.
• Drive the agile process and manage stakeholder communications.

Skills

Executive Presence & Communication

Product & Strategy Mindset

Relentless Execution

Education

2+ years as a Deployment Strategist or related experience

Job description

CSQ327R60

About the Team

The FDE (Forward Deployed Engineering) team is a new, strategic initiative sponsored from the CEO and Founders down. Our mission is to win C‑suite‑sponsored, high‑value AI opportunities by selling and delivering outcomes, not just a platform.

You will be part of the founding team, embedded with our most strategic customers from the very first sales call, all the way through to a production‑ready solution. You will be the “product manager” for the customer’s problem, responsible for the “why” and “what,” while our FDEs (Engineers) will be your partners responsible for the “how.”

Role Description

As a Deployment Strategist (DS), you are the critical bridge between a customer’s multi‑million dollar business problem and Databricks’ technical solution. You are a “product manager for the field,” owning the entire non‑technical lifecycle of an FDE engagement.

You will partner with our Account Executives to build C‑suite trust, perform deep discovery to map the customer’s political and technical landscape, and, most importantly, scope the value. You will define the Minimum Viable Product for a pilot, write the PRD that guides the engineering team, and manage the project to a successful landing.

This role requires a rare mix of C‑suite gravitas, deep product‑style thinking, and a hands‑on, “get it done” execution mindset.

What You’ll Do

• C‑Suite Scoping & Value Definition: Partner with Sales to perform deep discovery, map the customer’s organization, quantify the business value ($10M+ problems), and define the pilot (MVP, success criteria, timeline).
• End‑to‑End Product Ownership: Act as the “CEO” of the project by authoring the PRD, prioritizing the engineering backlog, relentlessly managing scope, and acting as the primary hands‑on QA tester.
• Agile Project Execution & Delivery: Drive the FDE build team via an agile process, manage all stakeholder communications from the C‑suite to individual engineers, and act as the “escalation manager” to unblock all technical or political issues.
• Solution Launch & Landing: Own the “Day 0” launch, manage the war room, and drive the solution from launch to full adoption by capturing user feedback, iterating, and proving the defined business value.
• Strategic Handoff & Growth: Scope the ongoing maintenance plan, create customer documentation/training, and leverage your trusted advisor status to identify the next high‑value FDE engagement.

Requirements

• Executive Presence & Communication: A “Trusted Advisor” with C‑suite gravitas and superb communication skills. You are opinionated, humble, and can build rapport and drive decisions in days, not weeks.
• Product & Strategy Mindset: A “Product Thinker” and “Systems Thinker” who can perform a SWOT analysis, understand a competitive landscape, and define “what” to build and “why.”
• Relentless Execution: An “Execution Driver” with a “Hands‑On” mentality. You are relentless, an expert at escalation, and willing to do the unglamorous work to get the project done.
• Ideal Experience: 2+ years as a Deployment Strategist OR 2+ years at a high‑growth startup in a “builder” or “founder” capacity. (Alternatively: 5+ years in a senior, client‑facing “product” or “delivery” role at a top‑tier tech company or consultancy).
• Proven Skills: Demonstrated experience in value‑based scoping (TCO/ROI), managing agile software projects, writing PRDs, and the ability/interest to travel up to 50%.

Pay Range Transparency

Databricks is committed to fair and equitable compensation practices. The pay range(s) for this role is listed below and represents the expected base salary range for non‑commissionable roles or on‑target earnings for commissionable roles. Actual compensation packages are based on several factors that are unique to each candidate, including but not limited to job‑related skills, depth of experience, relevant certifications and training, and specific work location. Based on the factors above, Databricks anticipated utilizing the full width of the range. The total compensation package for this position may also include eligibility for annual performance bonus, equity, and the benefits listed above. For more information regarding which range your location is in visit our page here.

Zone 1 Pay Range: $185,920 — $255,640 USD
Zone 2 Pay Range: $185,920 — $255,640 USD
Zone 3 Pay Range: $185,920 — $255,640 USD
Zone 4 Pay Range: $185,920 — $255,640 USD

Benefits

At Databricks, we strive to provide comprehensive benefits and perks that meet the needs of all of our employees. For specific details on the benefits offered in your region click here.

Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

At Databricks, we are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive culture where everyone can excel. We take great care to ensure that our hiring practices are inclusive and meet equal employment opportunity standards. Individuals looking for employment at Databricks are considered without regard to age, color, disability, ethnicity, family or marital status, gender identity or expression, language, national origin, physical and mental ability, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, socio‑economic status, veteran status, and other protected characteristics.

Compliance

If access to export‑controlled technology or source code is required for performance of job duties, it is within Employer’s discretion whether to apply for a U.S. government license for such positions, and Employer may decline to proceed with an applicant on this basis alone.